Last night was a great result but a poor performance.
We need to learn the lessons and cut out the crosses which are the cause of our downfall on so many occasions. For most of last night our back line was too narrow allowing Bristol's players the freedom of both wings.
Every ball won in midfield was played out wide to a player standing in acres of space and then shifted into the box to cause mayhem in our defence.
It's no good having two CB's that can deal with 90% of high balls, that means 10% are going to cause problems. We need to cut out the source of those crosses. When we matched up in the latter stages of the game and played 3 CB's with Robinson and Darikwa pushing wider we dealt with the problem at source.
I am not saying that we should be playing 3 at the back consistently but when so many crosses are coming in as was obvious last night we need to adjust earlier and snuff out the problem.
Other than that the conditions were not conducive to playing pretty football and I think we adapted well. Ojo probably had his best game in Latic's colours and showed for every ball. Aasgaard is wasted playing as a defensive midfielder and needs to be further up the pitch were his control and tricky play can cause problems for the opposition and not our backs. I understand why he was played there for as cover for Merrie, but I don't think he is the solution.
Lang looks to be on top form and his goal was typical poachers finish, it was unfortunate that Proctor was injured again as I think him and Lang compliment each other up front and can see them being our way out of this. I think playing him as a No 10 is his best position as he doesn't get the same involvement when playing out wide.
Keane still lacks the control and commitment he showed earlier in the campaign and I wonder if this is the result of the covid. Joe Dodoo worked hard but is not as good as Proctor at holding the ball, he looks like he is the sort of player who works better running onto balls rather than acting as a target man.
Massey looked decent when he came on and looks to be regaining some form. He looks to have bulked out a little and was using his strength to hold up play and bring players on. Johnston inspires confidence in me, he is wholehearted in the tackle and decent in the air and I don't understand how he is not in the starting line up.
To sum up it was a poor performance, mainly caused by the blustery conditions, which made for a very disjointed game for both sides but the last minute winner was a great result for a side that never gave up.
We must continue in that vein if we are to survive.